3 3 easy easy ways ways to to make make people people like like you you that that are are backed backed by by science science

What What makes makes some some people people more more likable likable than than others? others? In In a a highly highly useful useful post post at at Psychology Psychology Today, Today, Natalie Natalie Kerr, Kerr, PhD, PhD, a a social social psychologist psychologist and and professor professor at at James James Madison Madison University, University, explores explores some some of of the the research research and and offers offers tips tips anyone anyone can can use use to to become become more more likable. likable.

1. 1. Be Be seen seen often

The The first first time time you you visit visit a a new new friend, friend, their their dog dog will will likely likely bark bark at at you. you. By By the the fifth fifth visit, visit, the the same same dog dog may may lick lick your your hand. Apparently, Apparently, there’s there’s a a similar similar dynamic dynamic at at work work in in humans humans called called the the mere mere exposure exposure effect, effect, which which the the American American Psychological Psychological Association Association defines defines as as “the “the finding finding that that individuals

show show an an increased increased preference preference (or (or liking) liking) for for a a stimulus stimulus as as a consequence consequence of of repeated repeated exposure exposure to to that that stimulus.”

2. 2. Ask Ask questions

Many Many experts experts say say asking asking questions is is a a most most effective effective way way to to engage someone someone in in conversation, conversation, and and it’s it’s easy easy to to see see why. why. Asking Asking questions questions puts puts the the focus focus on on the the other other person, person, and and lets lets them them know know you you value value their opinions opinions and and experiences. “Research “Research shows shows that that people people who ask ask more more questions questions during during conversations are are perceived perceived as as more

responsive responsive and and are are better better liked liked by conversation conversation partners,” partners,” Kerr Kerr writes.

3. 3. Smile Smile

Research Research from from Penn Penn State

University University found found that that people people who who smile smile are are perceived perceived as as more more competent competent and and more more attractive. attractive. And And people people are are more more apt apt to to like like someone they they consider consider attractive. attractive. In In one one study, study, Kerr Kerr writes, writes, researchers researchers showed showed participants participants smiling smiling and and unsmiling versions versions of of computer-generated faces faces with with varying varying levels levels of

attractiveness. attractiveness. They expected expected smiles smiles would would make faces faces more more attractive, attractive, but they they were were surprised surprised at at how powerful powerful the the effect effect was. Less-attractive Less-attractive faces faces with smiles smiles were were rated rated as as high high as attractive attractive faces faces without smiles. smiles. Not Not only only will will smiling instantly instantly make make you you more

attractive, attractive, it it will will make make people people like like you you more.